Arena Campaign Releases List of More than 80 New Businesses Brought to 45th Ward

Arena Campaign Releases List of More than 80 New Businesses Brought to 45th Ward

CHICAGO, Fri., Feb. 14, 2015 – Alderman John Arena’s re-election campaign today published the list of more than 80 new businesses he has helped bring to the 45th Ward in his first term. The list had been a source of controversy since January, with opponents and their supporters asking to see it and accusing Ald. Arena of lying about successful economic growth.

After committing to publish the list at a debate Feb. 3, Arena’s campaign began to release the names of new businesses via social media, inviting the community to patronize the businesses and identify other new ones they had seen. Stretching the names of new businesses out over nine days helped Alderman Arena encourage residents from Gladstone Park to Old Irving Park to keep these new businesses strong and enable them to thrive in their new homes in the 45th Ward.

“I’m happy we were able to involve the community in what shouldn’t be a political issue,” said Ald. Arena. “I will continue to tout the progress we’ve made together during my first term, and I look forward to working with everyone in the Ward to build on that progress over the next four years.”

The Arena campaign has spent the last week attempting to turn this political issue into one that will benefit the community, posting businesses ten at a time to social media sites and encouraging followers to patronize the new businesses.

The list of the 89 new businesses Ald. Arena has helped bring to the Ward is below. The 89 businesses are located throughout the Ward, including 24 in Jefferson Park and 17 in Gladstone Park. Many of the businesses are restaurants and cultural attractions, and a wide variety of retail stores have also helped fill empty storefronts in the 45th Ward and helped fix the city’s budget with new property and sales tax revenue.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together,” said Ald. Arena. “Despite my opponents actively working against improvements to the Ward, we’ve been able to turn things around. I’m hopeful that they’ll join me so we can work together to continue improving our neighborhoods.”

NEW BUSINESSES ALDERMAN ARENA HAS HELPED BRING TO THE WARD SINCE TAKING OFFICE:

ABC Dance Academy

ABC Realtors

Advance Auto Parts

Away We Play

Bank of America (retail)

Battery Giant

Berrista Coffee

Better Built Garages

Brandy’s Gyros

Brighter Smile

Chase Bank (Elston Ave.)

Chicago Kurdish Cultural Center

Chipotle

Community

Covet Modern Design

CrossFit Chisel

CW Price

E Wok Cafe

Elly’s Pancake House

Farlow Development’s Playroom

Filament Theatre

Frank’s Chicago Shrimp House

Fruitmania

Gamers HQ

Happy Feet & Spa

Ho-Chunk Nation

I Am Trendii Boutique

iCA Cabinet

Inside Out Art Studio

Irma’s Attic

Jackie O’s Beauty Salon

Jesse’s Barbershop

Jimmy John’s

Josi’s Frozen Yogurt Cafe

Kawayan Restaurant

Kerin’s Photography

Kingston Reflexology

La Margarita Restaurant

Lake Effect Brewing Company

Leadbelly Burgers

Liberty Tax Jefferson Park

Local Goods Chicago

Luxe Blue Laser & Med Spa

Mariano’s

Maximum Distractions

May I Have This Dance

Maytag Laundry

MetroPCS in Gladstone Park

MetroPCS in Portage Park

Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center

Mom’s Old Recipe

Mother Cluckers Kitchen

Muay Thai Kickboxing

National Veterans Art Museum

Oak Sreet Health

Oasis Family Dental

OnCallERS

Pep Boys

PetSmart

Pho #1

Popeye’s

PRO Service Center

Raffe’s Record Riot

Replica Chicago

Rex Tavern

Right Way Signs

Ruk Sushi and Thai

Shilas Restaurant

SIMPLE Laboratories

Sip & Paint

Six Corners Bistro

Sketchy Fetish

Sleepy’s

Slingshots Chicago

Splash Car Wash

Sprint

Taqueria Amigo Chino

The Chicago Ballet Center

The Garage Bar and Sandwiches

The Learning Garden

The Yoga Shop

T-Mobile

Topweb, LLC

Upbeat Music and Arts

USA Bridal & Tailor

Victor Fitnezz

Wenesco

Ysabel’s Grill

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John Arena is the Alderman of the 45th Ward. He is running to be re-elected in the Feb. 24 municipal election.